Yonabaru: Tug-of-war tradition, railway history and parks

Yonabaru brings local traditions together with traces of its transport history and a range of places to explore: the museum dedicated to the traditional tug-of-war festival focuses on the Yonabaru Ōtsunahiki, while the former station recalls the Okinawa Railway, which no longer exists. Parks add playground equipment and occasional kayaking experiences to these cultural themes. When choosing your holiday rental, you can consider which of these aspects of the town you would like to shape your stay most.

Tug-of-war festival, folklore and craftsmanship

The Yonabaru Ōtsunahiki Museum presents the culture and history of the traditional tug-of-war festival through photographs, videos and original materials. A 3D VR simulation of the Yonabaru Ōtsunahiki offers further insights. At the festival itself, visitors can take part on the day as rope carriers or pullers. The museum and participation in the festival therefore offer different ways to engage with this tradition.

Uegawa Spring is also connected with Yonabaru’s history and religious traditions; Uegawa Square preserves it as a special place. According to local tradition, its water was once used for a newborn’s first bath after a heavenly woman gave birth at Mount Hamano Goten, also known as Udon'yama. This is a local legend that connects the place with a story about birth and water.

Seven stone lions have also been preserved in the town. Their shapes and facial features differ, and local stories and traditions have been passed down through them. Shimabukuro Tile Factory offers another glimpse of local craftsmanship: it still produces traditional red Okinawan roof tiles. These tiles are also used to restore traditional houses, temples and cultural properties. The factory includes a Shisa Gallery with shisa figures and several red roof tiles. Visitors are asked to make an inquiry in advance.

The history of the Okinawa Railway

In 1914, Okinawa’s first light railway opened between Naha and Yonabaru. The museum at Keibin Yonabaru Station is an exterior reconstruction of the former Yonabaru terminus of the Okinawa Railway, which operated before the Second World War. The reconstructed station building helps put the railway’s history into context, without suggesting that the former railway is the same as today’s transport system.

Historical photographs, route maps, timelines and videos at the museum tell the story of the light railway, which disappeared during the Battle of Okinawa. Remains of its former piers have also been preserved outdoors. Visitors interested in transport history will find various kinds of historical evidence here in addition to the exterior reconstruction. On walking tours of the town, long-time residents act as local guides through Yonabaru, adding insights into the town to the museum visits.

Parks and time outdoors

Udon'yama Shinsui Park is a water park on the Higashihama Waterway. Kayaking experiences are offered there occasionally. This makes the park a possible outing with a different focus from the museums and historic sites; the kayaking experiences are described as occasional activities. Higashihama Dinosaur Park offers a very different experience: its large climbing structure is shaped like a Tyrannosaurus. There are passageways inside, and children can climb stairs to its back, from which a tall slide leads down.

Higashihama Shisa Park has playground equipment such as slides and swings. There is also an open space where children can play ball and run around.

When planning your trip, you can weigh these different highlights: Yonabaru offers ways to explore tug-of-war traditions, local folklore, craftsmanship and railway history, as well as parks to visit. If you are looking for a holiday rental, it may help to first consider which of these interests you want to shape your days. You can also discover Zamami as another destination.

For the wider travel overview: Shimajiri District.